Mario Party Developer Changes Its Name

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Mario Party Developer Changes Its Name

Key Takeaways

  • NDcube, developer of Mario Party, has officially changed its name to Nintendo Cube Co., Ltd.
  • The studio was initially formed by many former employees of Hudson Soft and has become the primary developer of Mario Party games since 2012.
  • The upcoming Super Mario Party Jamboree looks to address past criticisms with a large number of minigames, boards, and a diverse character roster.

As a lifelong Nintendo enthusiast who’s witnessed the evolution of the Mario Party series since its inception, I must say that this transformation from NDcube to Nintendo Cube Co., Ltd. feels like the final piece of a beautifully crafted puzzle. It’s always refreshing to see a studio align itself with its parent company, just like how my favorite Yoshi finally decided to stick with Mario instead of wandering off on his own.

The team responsible for creating the “Mario Party” series, previously known as NDcube, has officially rebranded as Nintendo Cube Co., Ltd. This new name more accurately represents its affiliation with Nintendo. Initially established in 2000 through a partnership between Nintendo and advertising firm Dentsu, NDcube developed various Nintendo games, including “F-Zero: Maximum Velocity” and “Dokodemo Taikyoku Yakuman Advance.” In 2010, Nintendo acquired a majority of shares from Dentsu. Later, employees who had worked on the “Mario Party” series for Hudson Soft since 1998 moved to NDcube.

Since 2012’s “Mario Party 9,” Nintendo’s subsidiary studio, NDcube, has taken over as the main developer of the “Mario Party” series. This includes the upcoming game, “Super Mario Party Jamboree,” set to release on October 17, 2024. Apart from the “Mario Party” games, NDcube is also responsible for several other Nintendo titles, such as “Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp” and “Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics.” Since Nintendo holds a majority stake in NDcube, the studio has officially changed its name to better reflect its relationship with the Japanese gaming giant.

Starting September 1, 2024, the company will officially operate under the name Nintendo Cube Co., Ltd., reflecting its historical ties to Nintendo. Previously known as NDcube, this studio has been largely owned by Nintendo since 2023, holding a 99% stake in it. The logo of the developer behind Mario Party has been updated but maintains the blue-and-white color scheme of its previous design. It’s important to note that this new name should not be confused with the Nintendo Gamecube console.

Mario Party Developer NDcube Renamed to Nintendo Cube

Previously noted, the studio came into existence with a team that previously developed the entire ‘Mario Party’ series up until ‘Mario Party 9’. Since then, this studio has had varying successes, with their subsequent releases receiving a mix of positive and negative criticisms, such as ‘Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival’ and ‘Everybody 1-2-Switch’. Games like ‘Mario Party 9’ and ‘Mario Party: The Top 100’ garnered similar responses from critics, but later releases such as ‘Super Mario Party’ and ‘Mario Party Superstars’ on the Switch were generally praised as improvements.

The eagerly awaited “Super Mario Party Jamboree” promises to tackle significant feedback from previous versions by offering a vast array of minigames, combining new creations with revamped boards, and boasting one of the largest character lineups in the history of the “Mario Party” series. This event features several familiar faces such as Mario, Luigi, and Peach, as well as lesser-known yet adored characters like Pauline, Toad, and Birdo who are now part of the “Jamboree”.

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2024-09-03 04:03